Cleaning apparatus with front flow control

ABSTRACT

A cleaning apparatus includes a front portion in distal position, which has a fluid dispenser and a vacuum port; a handle portion in proximal position, which is coupled to and in fluid communication with the front portion and is configured to be held by an operator&#39;s hand; and a flow control member, which controls flow of the fluid to the fluid dispenser through a flow control valve and is shaped as a rotatable member extending outwardly from an outer surface of the cleaning apparatus. Both the fluid control member and the flow control valve are disposed distally of the position of the operator&#39;s hand.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a cleaning apparatus having a flow control member that is disposed distally of the operator's hand. A cleaning apparatus according to the invention may be embodied as an upholstery or fabric cleaning device, in which the flow control member is a rotatable cylinder positioned in a front area of the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fabric and upholstery cleaning devices are generally configured as hand-held devices that include a front portion, which dispenses a cleaning solution and at the same time applies vacuum to remove the spent solution and dirt particles; a handle portion, which is configured to be held by an operator's hand and through which vacuum is applied at the front portion; and a trigger lever, which is generally disposed underneath the handle portion and by which flow of the cleaning solution is controlled.

Examples of fabric and upholstery devices according to the prior art are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,334,336 to Harbeck et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,001,806 to Gurstein.

FIG. 1 illustrates in detail an upholstery cleaning device according to the prior art. A distal hollow body 10 is shaped as a housing that includes a liquid spray nozzle 14, which dispenses the cleaning solution onto the upholstery, and an extraction slot 16, through which vacuum is applied that removes the spent cleaning solution together with any entrained dirt particles. Flow of the cleaning solution to spray nozzle 14 is controlled by a trigger valve 18, which is actuated by a trigger lever 20.

A handle 12 is coupled longitudinally to hollow body 10 and is essentially shaped like a pipe, which is in fluid communication with extraction slot 16 and receives the spent cleaning solution and the dirt particles extracted from the upholstery.

In operation, a hand of the operator holds handle 22 and at the same time releases the cleaning solution onto the upholstery by pressing on trigger lever 20, thereby actuating valve 18. This mode of use, however, requires that the operator maintains a steady control over the position of trigger lever 20 in order to dispense a steady and consistent amount of the cleaning solution.

In reality, the control of the operator is never perfect and varying amounts of the cleaning solution are dispensed on the upholstery due to undesired changes in the position of trigger lever 20 by the operator during use. Further, the cleaning solution is often heated and, because trigger valve 18 and trigger lever 29 are generally made of metal, the operator becomes increasingly uncomfortable, which affects not only the well being of the operator but also the quality of his work, especially the consistency of the position of trigger lever 20. Still further, the repetitive motion of cleaning upholstery combined with the tension on the hand that controls trigger lever 20 accelerate the onset of carpal tunnel injury on the operator.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cleaning apparatus according to the invention resolves the drawback in devices according to the prior art by providing a flow control member and a flow control valve that are positioned distally of the position of an operator's hand. More specifically, a cleaning apparatus constructed according to the principles of the invention includes a front portion in distal position having a fluid dispenser and a vacuum port; a handle portion in proximal position, which is coupled to the front portion and is in fluid communication with the vacuum port of the front portion; and a flow control member and flow control valve, which are disposed distally of the position of the operator's hand and control flow of the fluid to the fluid dispenser.

In one embodiment, the flow control member is configured as a rotatable cylinder extending outwardly from an outer surface of the cleaning apparatus. For example, the flow control member may extend upwardly of an upper outer surface of the cleaning apparatus.

In different embodiments, the flow control member may be provided at a junction area between the front portion and the handle portion of the cleaning apparatus, or may be provided in a distal area of the handle portion of the cleaning apparatus.

The flow control member actuates the flow control valve, which may be disposed inside the cleaning apparatus. By operation of the flow control member, flow of the fluid through the flow control valve may be increased, decreased or stopped entirely. Conversely, when the flow control member is not operated, flow of the fluid through the flow control valve can be maintained constant. In one embodiment, the flow control valve is disposed in the same longitudinal position of the cleaning apparatus as the flow control member.

In one embodiment, the cleaning apparatus also includes one or more vacuum release openings provided at rear end of the cleaning apparatus. For example, the vacuum release openings may be shaped as a plurality of radial openings disposed in the same longitudinal position over a portion of the perimeter of the cleaning apparatus, and may further be in a recessed position in relation to the outer surface of the cleaning apparatus.

A cover may also be provided that is slidable over the vacuum release openings, such to obstruct all, some or none of the vacuum release openings.

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a cleaning apparatus that is simpler and more comfortable to operate than cleaning apparatus in the prior art.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a cleaning apparatus that enables a more consistent and more efficient cleaning operation than apparatus in the prior art, distributing a cleaning solution more consistently and reducing cleaning times.

Still another aspect of the present invention to provide a cleaning apparatus that has an improved weight balance and is safer to operate than cleaning apparatus in the prior art, due to a reduction in heating and swelling of the hand of the operator and a lower incidence of carpal tunnel injury.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an upholstery cleaning apparatus according to the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a cleaning apparatus according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is right side view of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is first detail perspective view of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a second detail view of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a third detail perspective view of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Detailed descriptions of embodiments of the invention are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to employ the present invention in virtually any detailed system, structure, or manner.

FIGS. 2-5 depict different views of a cleaning apparatus with front flow control according to the present invention. In particular, cleaning apparatus 22 comprises a front portion 24 in distal position, which dispenses a fluid onto a surface to be cleaned and extracts the spent fluid and dirt particles from the same surface by applying vacuum, and a handle portion 26 in proximal position, which is configures to be held by an operator's hand.

FIG. 6 depicts a longitudinal cross-section view of cleaning apparatus 22. Distal portion 22 includes a fluid dispenser 28, which may be embodied as a nozzle that sprays the fluid or as a slotted opening that distributes a film of fluid, and a vacuum port 30, which sucks the spent fluid from the underlying surface together with any dirt particles that may be present. In one embodiment, the fluid is a cleaning solution and may distributed heated or at room temperature.

Handle portion 26 has a tubular shape such that the spent fluid and any extracted dirt particles can travel from vacuum port 30 through the interior of handle portion 26 and eventually to a discharge point. As shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, handle portion 26 may have a number of cavities 32 on its lower surface to accommodate the operator's fingers.

As shown in the figures, cleaning apparatus 22 includes a flow control member 34, which is provided distally of the position of operator's hand. In the illustrated embodiment, flow control member 34 is a rotatable cylinder that extends outwardly from an outer surface of cleaning apparatus 22 but in different embodiments flow control member 34 may have different shapes and may have different surface finishes, for example, may also have a ridged or knurled pattern on its outer surface to improve contact and decrease heat transmission.

Typically, flow control member 34 extends outwardly of upper surface 36 of cleaning apparatus 22, within reach of the operator's fingers. In different embodiments, flow control member may be provided at a junction area between front portion 24 and handle portion 26, or may be provided in a distal area, that is, a front area, of handle portion 26.

With reference again to FIG. 6, flow control member 34 actuates flow control valve 38, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is disposed inside of cleaning apparatus 22, preferably in the same longitudinal position as flow control member 34. By rotating flow control member 34, the operator controls fluid flow through flow control valve 38, increasing, decreasing, or shutting off flow of the cleaning solution as desired. Conversely, once the operator has rotated flow control member 34 to a desired position, he can release it and needs not manipulate flow control member 34 any longer to maintain a steady flow of the cleaning solution.

Therefore, with a cleaning apparatus according to the present invention, flow control member 34 is easy to operate, because the operator needs only to rotate it with his fingers either of the hand that holds handle portion 26 or of the other hand. Contrary to the trigger levers in the prior art, the operator can only make a single adjustment of the rotational position of flow control member 34 to set the flow of the cleaning solution at a desired level, and then he can release flow control member 34 and move his hand away from it, rather than holding it continuously as with trigger levers in the prior art.

Significant benefits are derived from having the position and the weight of flow control member 34 and flow control valve 38 moved forward, toward the front of the apparatus, compared to cleaning devices in the prior art:

A simpler operation;

A more comfortable operation;

A more consistent cleaning operation;

A more efficient operation, since the operator can now operate more freely and faster (up to two times as fast) and with more reproducible results;

A safer operation, due to a reduction in heating and swelling of the hand and an expected lower incidence of carpal tunnel injury.

In particular, during the extensive use of this type of apparatus that is typical of professional cleaning operators, the forward position of flow control member 34 and flow control valve 38 not only increases the contact of the device against the underlying upholstery or fabric by having the center of gravity of the device moved forward, but also provides for an easier movement of the device by the operator, increasing cleaning speed and decreasing what is believed to be a major cause of carpal tunnel disease in this line of work.

FIGS. 6-10 depict another aspect of the present invention. One or more vacuum release openings 40 are provided at a rear end of cleaning apparatus 22. In the illustrated embodiment, vacuum release openings 22 are provided around only part of the cross-sectional perimeter of proximal portion 26 and are in a recessed position in relation to upper surface 36 of handle portion 26.

A cover 42 is disposed in the perimetric recess where vacuum release openings are defined and is slidable, such that cover 42 can occlude all, some or none of vacuum release openings 40.

Vacuum release openings 40, in combination with cover 42, enable an adjustment of the amount of vacuum applied by cleaning apparatus 22. This is of particular importance when cleaning apparatus 22 is used to clean delicate or light fabrics, in order to make the cleaning operation more efficient and reduce possible damages to the fabric caused by an excessive amount of suction.

While the invention has been described in connection with the above described embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the scope of the invention. Further, the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become apparent to those skilled in the art and is limited only by the appended claims.

LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 Distal hollow body (prior art)

12 Handle

14 Spray nozzle

16 Extraction slot

18 Trigger valve

20 Trigger lever

22 Cleaning apparatus (new)

24 Front portion

26 Handle portion

28 Fluid dispenser

30 Vacuum port

32 Cavity

34 Flow control member

36 Upper surface

38 Flow control valve

40 Vacuum release opening

42 Cover 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A cleaning apparatus comprising: a front portion in distal position, the front portion having a fluid dispenser and a vacuum port; a handle portion in proximal position coupled to the front portion, the handle portion being in fluid communication with the vacuum port and being configured to be held by an operator's hand; and a flow control member controlling flow of the fluid through a flow control valve to the fluid dispenser, wherein the flow control member is configured as a rotatable member extending outwardly from an outer surface of the cleaning apparatus, and wherein the flow control member and the flow control valve are disposed distally of the operator's hand position.
 2. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotatable member is a rotatable cylindrical member.
 3. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flow control member extends upwardly from an upper outer surface of the cleaning apparatus.
 4. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flow control member is provided at a junction area between the front portion and the handle portion of the cleaning apparatus.
 5. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flow control member is provided in a distal end area of the handle portion.
 6. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flow control valve is disposed inside of the cleaning apparatus.
 7. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flow control member is disposed in a same longitudinal position of the cleaning apparatus as the flow control valve.
 8. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising one or more vacuum release openings provided at a proximal end of the cleaning apparatus.
 9. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the one or more vacuum release openings are a plurality of radial openings disposed in a same longitudinal position over a portion of a perimeter of the proximal portion of the cleaning apparatus.
 10. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the one or more release openings are in a recessed position, further comprising a cover that is slidable over the portion of the perimeter such to obstruct at least one of the vacuum release openings. 